ZoltaR
26 Nov 2005, 04:53 AM
Crisscross Interview: Ribéry - Meriem
The two midfielders kindly agreed to take part in the Crisscross Interview and answer questions about Sunday’s match between Marseille and Monaco and the two sides start to the season…
http://s.om.net/om/image/article/illustration/6/1097.jpg
OM’s start of the season
FR: We had a rough start to the season because we spent so much energy on the Intertoto Cup. But we were also able to fight back and climb back up the standings. Don’t forget that in the Intertoto we went all the way and eliminated some big teams like Lazio and Deportivo La Coruna. We qualified for the UEFA Cup and after Thursday’s win we’re already qualified for the round-of-32, so I think we can say it was worth it.
On a personal level, I’m very happy to be at Marseille, we’ve got a good squad and great supporters. To play in front of 60,000 at the Stade Vélodrome is just unbelievable. They push us to our very limits to win.
http://s.om.net/om/file/200511/051125_meriem.jpg
CM: Marseille had a difficult beginning due to the Intertoto Cup which they ended up winning. They played some big games in this competition, such as the game against La Coruna which proved they were a very good team. Recently they’ve shown great solidarity, even if they have lost a few games against Bordeaux, Saint-Etienne and Le Mans. Despite those results, they’ve also shown with their win over Paris-SG that they can beat any team at the Stade Vélodrome. Against Monaco it’s going to be a big game, where they will want to play well. Marseille v Monaco is always an important match, it a clash between two of France’s best known teams. It’s the type of match where both sides are desperate to win and everyone wants to play well. I hope it makes for an entertaining game.
Marseille-Monaco
FR: The fact that we didn’t win against Lille and Le Mans meant we had to get a result against Nantes. Then we had to play Heerenveen and now three days later we’ve got to get up again against Monaco. We got through the first two and we couldn’t be better prepared to host Monaco on Sunday.
Monaco are going through a good spell and they’ve had some good results recently. Since we’re playing at home we know it’s going to be tough. Monaco will be coming to try and beat us and we’ll be doing everything we can to win on hoe soil. Monaco are only three points ahead of us in the standings and they’re a team fighting for the top spots so we can consider them a direct rival.
It’s very important to recover physically before the match. We’re playing every three or four days until the winter break and it’s hard on the body. But Monaco played a European match in mid-week same as us.
CM: We coming to the Vélodrome in good form and it’s important to play OM when you’re full of confidence and with a positive mentality to have a good match. We got a great result against Saint-Etienne, but Marseille are only three points further back and we know they’re desperate to beat us to pull level with us on the table. It’s up to us to start well and get the result. It’s a real six-pointer where we have the possibility to install ourselves in the top half.
We have to put the pressure to one side and take the game out of its context. The atmosphere at the Vélodrome will be hostile and we’ll have to focus on the task at hand.
Monaco’s start of the season
FR: They had a rough period, a lot like us at the start of the season. They’ve been through a change of coach with the departure of Didier Deschamps. We know that’s not easy to go through, but finally they’ve lifted their heads and they’re going better.
CM: It’s true we’re playing better and bette rand getting the results to match. After a tough start we starting to win at home. We’ve gone four games without a loss at home including three wins without conceding a goal. We’re getting back on tack. I think everyone was conscious that we had to improve after our terrible start to the season. As well as all his coaching, the new manager has also instilled a new spirit in the team and it shows on the pitch. But we’re stil not dominating matches from start to finish and we’ve still got a long way to go. For now, we’re heading in the right direction. On a personal level I wasn’t playing well at the start and things weren’t going the way I wanted. I was having trouble playing to my potential. Then things changed like the arrival of a new coach. For a certain time now things are going better and better. I’ve been moved back into the middle where I’m no stranger. It’s the position where I feel most comfortable and can express myself best. I really enjoy playing more centrally. Just like the whole team, I’m getting stronger.
The two midfielders kindly agreed to take part in the Crisscross Interview and answer questions about Sunday’s match between Marseille and Monaco and the two sides start to the season…
http://s.om.net/om/image/article/illustration/6/1097.jpg
OM’s start of the season
FR: We had a rough start to the season because we spent so much energy on the Intertoto Cup. But we were also able to fight back and climb back up the standings. Don’t forget that in the Intertoto we went all the way and eliminated some big teams like Lazio and Deportivo La Coruna. We qualified for the UEFA Cup and after Thursday’s win we’re already qualified for the round-of-32, so I think we can say it was worth it.
On a personal level, I’m very happy to be at Marseille, we’ve got a good squad and great supporters. To play in front of 60,000 at the Stade Vélodrome is just unbelievable. They push us to our very limits to win.
http://s.om.net/om/file/200511/051125_meriem.jpg
CM: Marseille had a difficult beginning due to the Intertoto Cup which they ended up winning. They played some big games in this competition, such as the game against La Coruna which proved they were a very good team. Recently they’ve shown great solidarity, even if they have lost a few games against Bordeaux, Saint-Etienne and Le Mans. Despite those results, they’ve also shown with their win over Paris-SG that they can beat any team at the Stade Vélodrome. Against Monaco it’s going to be a big game, where they will want to play well. Marseille v Monaco is always an important match, it a clash between two of France’s best known teams. It’s the type of match where both sides are desperate to win and everyone wants to play well. I hope it makes for an entertaining game.
Marseille-Monaco
FR: The fact that we didn’t win against Lille and Le Mans meant we had to get a result against Nantes. Then we had to play Heerenveen and now three days later we’ve got to get up again against Monaco. We got through the first two and we couldn’t be better prepared to host Monaco on Sunday.
Monaco are going through a good spell and they’ve had some good results recently. Since we’re playing at home we know it’s going to be tough. Monaco will be coming to try and beat us and we’ll be doing everything we can to win on hoe soil. Monaco are only three points ahead of us in the standings and they’re a team fighting for the top spots so we can consider them a direct rival.
It’s very important to recover physically before the match. We’re playing every three or four days until the winter break and it’s hard on the body. But Monaco played a European match in mid-week same as us.
CM: We coming to the Vélodrome in good form and it’s important to play OM when you’re full of confidence and with a positive mentality to have a good match. We got a great result against Saint-Etienne, but Marseille are only three points further back and we know they’re desperate to beat us to pull level with us on the table. It’s up to us to start well and get the result. It’s a real six-pointer where we have the possibility to install ourselves in the top half.
We have to put the pressure to one side and take the game out of its context. The atmosphere at the Vélodrome will be hostile and we’ll have to focus on the task at hand.
Monaco’s start of the season
FR: They had a rough period, a lot like us at the start of the season. They’ve been through a change of coach with the departure of Didier Deschamps. We know that’s not easy to go through, but finally they’ve lifted their heads and they’re going better.
CM: It’s true we’re playing better and bette rand getting the results to match. After a tough start we starting to win at home. We’ve gone four games without a loss at home including three wins without conceding a goal. We’re getting back on tack. I think everyone was conscious that we had to improve after our terrible start to the season. As well as all his coaching, the new manager has also instilled a new spirit in the team and it shows on the pitch. But we’re stil not dominating matches from start to finish and we’ve still got a long way to go. For now, we’re heading in the right direction. On a personal level I wasn’t playing well at the start and things weren’t going the way I wanted. I was having trouble playing to my potential. Then things changed like the arrival of a new coach. For a certain time now things are going better and better. I’ve been moved back into the middle where I’m no stranger. It’s the position where I feel most comfortable and can express myself best. I really enjoy playing more centrally. Just like the whole team, I’m getting stronger.